Services

Backing a dark horse...

Supporters of a project to erect a memorial to Romsey’s war horses can now toast the scheme with a special beer.

Romsey’s Flack Manor Brewery has launched a commemorative ale – The Romsey War Horse – with a percentage from each bottle sold going to the appeal.

The dark brew (4.5 per cent abv) is described as having the “hint of aromas of toasted malts and an initial sweetness with the hint of spice leading to a cracking lingering hop finish”.

Nigel Welsh, from Flack Manor, said he “jumped at the chance” to produce a special beer when he was approached by the War Horse project.

“At Flack Manor, we have a great interest in the wartime history of Romsey and have named several beers after places or events associated with the town,” he said. “The War Horse statue is a wonderful project and sits perfectly with our business and by brewing a commemorative ale we can give something back.” The statue will commemorate the 120,000 horses and mules that passed through the Army Remount Camp at Pauncefoot Hill on their way to the front during the First World War.

The statue is being sculpted by artist, Amy Goodman, at her studio in Quarley, near Andover. Amy was one of the first to taste the beer and her verdict was: “Fabulous – I don’t normally drink darker beers, but this really hits the mark.”

She said it was amazing how the businesses and people of Romsey had got behind the project and so far £45,000 has been raised towards the £55,000 cost of the statue, which it is hoped will be unveiled in Romsey’s War memorial Park in 2015 – the centenary of the remount camp.

To begin with Romsey War Horse will be available from off licences, Romsey outlets including the Flak Shack Brewery Store on Romsey Industrial Estate, with more distribution channels planned.

Donations to the appeal can be sent to “War Horse Fund”, The Town Clerk, Town Hall, Market Place, Romsey, SO51 8YZ.

- On Sunday, the Romsey School equestrian team are raising funds for the War Horse appeal with a ride from the park to Farley Mount. They are setting out at 10.30am and are expected to arrive at Farley around 1.30pm, having made a stop off at the Wheatsheaf, in Braishfield, at around 11.30am.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here